Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.
The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.
American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.
Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.
Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.
Fine Estate Arts and Crafts Style Peridot Sterling Silver Cross
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Arts and Crafts style sterling silver and peridot cross featuring six rhombus shaped square cut 5mm by 5mm peridot gemstones. Peridots have a r...
Sterling Silver
Early Margot de Taxco Sterling Parure Set Necklace Earrings Cuff Bracelet
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Margot Van Voorhies Carr started producing out of her own studio in 1948, under the name, Margot de Taxco. Previously she had been producing pieces under Antonio Castillo for the William Spratling studio. This four piece sterling silver suite...
Sterling Silver
Liberty & Co attr Arts and Crafts silver & enamel hat pin with Celtic decoration
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co, attributed in the style of Archibald Knox. An Arts and Crafts silver hat pin with Celtic decoration touched with blue, orange, and green...
Silver
Exquisite 19th Century Cabinet of Curiosities Object – Jeweled Elephant
Located in Madrid, ES
Exquisite 19th Century Object from a Cabinet of Curiosities – Jeweled Elephant Important, finely carved elephant sculpture, probably made in Germany in the 19th century, intended as ...
Organic Material
Silver and blue enamel bracelet made in 1912, English Arts and Crafts period
Located in Central England, GB
We have for sale this absolutely stunning, beautiful and very stylish Arts and Crafts English hallmarked silver and blue enamel bracelet. The bracelet is made up of five oval pierce...
Silver, Enamel
A sterling silver filigree and enamel butterfly brooch, Continental circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This exquisite piece of Stirling silver handmade filigree jewellery is a very fine example. The woven and soldered silver wire is incredibly delicate work. It is formed in five gra...
Silver
Peer Smed Sterling Silver Calla Lily Brooch Pin Arts and Crafts Period
By Peer Smed
Located in Southampton, NJ
A bold and impressively-sized sterling silver calla lily brooch/pin by famed silversmith Peer Smed. This brooch is entirely handwrought and exhibits all of the hallmarks of Smed's be...
Sterling Silver
$1,468Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 10 Brass Centerpiece, Sculptural Architectural Italian Collectible Design
By CASPAL, FEDERICA PAOLI
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 10 - Crafted in Italy, this brushed brass pedestal combines sculptural elegance with architectural precision. Its refined, clean lines and warm brass finish enhance the textur...
Brass
Einar Dragsted Danish Silver Necklace & Crucifix, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A 1940s handmade silver pendant with a 55 cm handmade silver chain. Made by the Danish Royal Court Silversmith Einar Dragsted circa 1948-50. The pendant measures: 55mmx38mm. Fully ha...
Silver
An Arts and Crafts silver and moonstone brooch circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
A most beautiful and fine silver arts and crafts brooch, unmarked (tested). This fine bar brooch is set with seven good sized moonstones, it ha...
Silver
$2,463Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 20 Polished Aluminum Candle Holders by Federica Paoli
By FEDERICA PAOLI, CASPAL
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This set of 20 polished aluminum candle holders is a contemporary Italian collection featuring a sculptural, architectural silhouette. Each candle holder is crafted with a mirror-pol...
Silver, Silver Plate, Brass
$799
H 1.5 in W 2 in D 0.25 in
Indigenous Sheyka Sterling Silver and Inlaid Figural Rabbit Brooch or Pendant
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Zuni Indigenous American sterling silver and inlaid gemstone figural rabbit brooch or pendant was made by Porfillo and Ann Sheyka. The piece was handmade in most likely the late...
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
$65
H 2.75 in W 0.63 in D 0.38 in
Silver Vintage Austrian Charivari Grandeln Lederhosen Octoberfest Hat Pin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This curious Folk Art stick pin was probably worn by a man, in particular, a hunter, as a charm. They’re often found on the charm bracelets of hunters, ...
Silver
$1,340
H 0.3 in W 17.13 in D 0.25 in
Taxco Sterling Silver + Malachite Modernist Necklace, Mexico 1970s
By Pepe Mendoza, P. Lopez G., Los Castillo, Los Castillos, Margot De Taxco
Located in Round Top, TX
Bold and sculptural collar necklace handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico, featuring a dramatic fan of tapered sterling silver "spikes" accented with inlaid malachite gemstones. The articulat...
Malachite, Sterling Silver
$995
H 0.25 in Dm 2.38 in
Birks Sterling Silver Ladies Compact with Enamel Portrait & Guilloche Decoration
By Henry Birks
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sterling silver ladies compact was made for the Birks retailer in presumably France in circa 1950. This compact features an enamel portrait done in...
Sterling Silver
$151Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in W 14.18 in D 1.58 in
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Shell
Handmade Silver and Enamel Bracelet Cuff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handmade silver and enamel bracelet cuff - wonderful detailing and colors - a must have for the bohemian styled person - a great stand alone piece or wit...
Silver, Enamel
$995
H 3.25 in W 2.5 in D 0.25 in
Antique Austrian Silver & Enamel Cigarette Case with Floral & Ribbon Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This silver and enamel cigarette case is hallmarked by an unknown maker and is presumed to have been made in Austria in approximately 1920. The case is composed of .800 silver and ha...
Silver
Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, reminiscent of a Classic sculpture museum. Olot has been a hub for sculpture and rel...
Plaster, Wood
Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cabinet of curiosities of plaster figures and pieces in a wooden drawer. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. Olot has a long tradition in the produc...
Plaster, Wood
$1,019
H 14.97 in W 3.55 in D 0.4 in
Superb Vintage Silver Jewel Aztec design Necklace Set Taxco Mexico
Located in London, GB
A stunning and collectible vintage silver Choker Necklace and bracelet by VOO crafted in Taxco Mexico, and dating to the 1970s. This...
Silver
$170Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.04 in W 14.18 in D 1.38 in
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Shell
David Andersen gilded sterling silver brooch/pin enamel Butterfly
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brooch and almost. a signature creation of the Jeweler /designer Norway designer David Andersen .
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 2.17 in W 0.67 in D 0.12 in
Gem set Danish Silver Arts & Crafts Bookmark by Wilhelm Volck, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Wilhelm Volck, a renowned Copenhagen silversmith, made this small practical luxury bookmark page marker in 830/1000 silver. Finely engraved details and adorned with a small red cente...
Silver
circa 1890s Micro-Beaded Drawstring Evening Bag
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
circa 1890s micro-beaded draw-string evening bag. Scenic design with Shaker Style houses appears in various bag designs & color variations. Silk lining i...
Beads
Bead and Seashell Necklace from Indonesia, on Stand
Located in New York, NY
A singular necklace from Sumba, Indonesia, handmade with rare red white-heart glass beads and Money Cowry seashells, over a base of woven raffia. Measures: 7" Wide x 4 3/4" Deep x...
Stone
Bead and Seashell Necklace from Indonesia, on Stand
Located in New York, NY
A singular necklace from Sumba, Indonesia, handmade with red / blue beads and miniature Money Cowry seashells, over a base of woven raffia. 3 available. Mounted on a black metal stand.
Stone
Art Nouveau Liberty Gold Turquoise Pendant, circa 1900
By William Hair Haseler, Liberty & Co.
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Rare liberty gold turquoise Arts & Crafts Art Nouveau pendant, William Haseler, circa 1900. Fully signed for W. H Haseler and 15-carat for Liberty, oval c...
Gold
Shoe Horn with Bakelite Handle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A shoe horn with Bakelite handle in the unique shape and texture of bone or horn. A compliment to any dressing area.
Stainless Steel
Rare A E Jones Set Silver Ruskin Buttons, Birmingham, 1903
By A.E. Jones
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Very rare set of six English silver hallmarked buttons, Birmingham 1903 by A.E.Jones. Each of circular shape, silver bezel set with a blue green Ruskin plaque, diameter approximately 25mm. All fully hallmarked on reverse. Total Item Weight: 41.25 gm. Fitted box. Ignore reflections from photographs, ruskins are in very good condition. A.E Jones Ltd. established Birmingham in 1902 is the most important of the individual Birmingham metal working firms in the Arts & Crafts style particularly for its association with the Ruskin Pottery. Jones registered a mark with the Birmingham Assay Office on 1st December 1902. Silver pieces with the small pottery roundels which Ruskin had started to produce appear in 1903. These include a set of silver buttons, a vase and a preserve jar and spoon. The firm of A. Edward Jones did continue to mount Ruskin ware...
Sterling Silver
Judaica Sterling Silver Fish Spice Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Judaica articulated sterling silver figural carp spice holder was likely made in Germany during the early 20th century. The spice holder is hig...
Stone, Sterling Silver
Antique Micro Mosaic Brooch from Murano, 1920
By Murano 5
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Decorative pin brooch with colorful flower arrangement. The micro mosaic work is composed of small pieces of colored glass. It was made in Murano, Italy, circa 1920.
Glass
Large Antique Arrow Hatpin in Silver by Marius Sørensen, circa 1900
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large antique arrow shaped Hatpin or Brooch for Knitwear by Danish Silversmith Marius Sørensen. Stamped 826, MS. Please note that this item has not been ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.75 in Dm 3 in
Liberty Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts Silver Enamel Buckle Haseler, Birmingham, 1910
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Liberty and Co Art Nouveau Arts & Crafts silver enamel buckle, Birmingham 1910 by Haseler for Liberty. The rare design Sterling two piece enamel buckle waist clasp hallmarked Birming...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Liberty and Co Art Nouveau Arts and Crafts Silver Enamel Buckle 1909
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Liberty and Co Art Nouveau Arts and Crafts Silver enamel buckle. The rare design Sterling two piece enamel buckle waist clasp hallmarked Birmingham 1909 with Liberty mark. Dimensiona...
Sterling Silver, Enamel